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Wave effect on sea grasses in the West Indies: the formation of the bare sand zone

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 May 2009

H. J. Mitchell-Tapping
H. J. Mitchell-Tapping
Affiliation:
Department of Geology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32306
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Summary

An examination of narrow zones of bare sand, usually averaging 10 m in width, situated between the patch reef and the sea grass beds (Thalassia and Cymodocea), shows that they appear to be primarily the result of wave action. Experiments were conducted in the U.S. Virgin Islands over a period of 5 years, which show the effect of subsurface interference of wave patterns in the forming of these bare sand zones. It is thought by the present author that these sand zones are a major factor in the equilibrium balance of sand quantity necessary for on and offshore transportation, and also in the balance of sand retained behind the patch reefs of the West Indies.

Type
Articles
Information
Geological Magazine , Volume 112 , Issue 5 , September 1975 , pp. 515 - 518
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1975

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References

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